264 AN ANGLER AT LARGE 



The trial was conducted in true Norsk fashion 

 in the open air. The proceedings were extraordi- 

 narily public, and everyone who passed along the 

 high road was welcome to attend them, and 

 attended them. In the Lofoten no one is blase. 

 Public interest was extensively aroused. Before 

 judgment was given, I suppose there were seven 

 or eight persons gathered in Mr. Thorwaldsen's 

 garden. The parties pleaded in person. Mr. 

 Ibsen said that he wanted his net. Mr. Thor- 

 waldsen made short work of him. He pointed 

 out that Mr. Ibsen was trying to eat his cake and 

 have it. Mr. Ibsen was not a bit abashed. He 

 seemed genuinely amused at being caught out 

 like that. His neighbours rallied him unmerci- 

 fully. In their eyes he had committed the merest 

 peccadillo. Mr. Ibsen replied in kind, and they 

 all laughed gaily. Even Oberhausen and I were 

 infected by their deplorable levity. But Mr. 

 Thorwaldsen put an end to our merriment by 

 stating that the net would be confiscated and Mr. 

 Ibsen would be fined. Mr. Ibsen, with a "don't 

 care" shrug, laughed again most naughtily; he 

 was invincibly cheery. Then Oberhausen's kind 

 heart misgave him. He begged for mercy for 

 Mr. Ibsen. Let the net be taken, but let not an 

 old man be dragged before the magistrate. If 

 he would apologise Mr. Ibsen clutched at the 



